FUNDING to give Tweedbank railway station a new snack bar and toilet facilities has now been secured.

Borders MSP Christine Grahame suggested the improvements several months ago and they have now been given the green light by ScotRail, the company which manages the line.

Ms Grahame told the Border Telegraph: "I received a letter today from ScotRail to confirm that the funding for the installation of toilets and a snack bar had been secured.

"Tender documents have been issued and the unit is currently being built with an expected delivery just before Christmas. It is hoped they will be fully operational early next year."

The MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale says she campaigned for these facilities to be installed at the station after being contacted by many travellers on the line who felt the station at Tweedbank, as a terminus, should have toilet facilities at the very least. 

She added: "I have spoken to ScotRail Managing Director Phil Verster about this on numerous occasions since the line opened and suggested a similar set-up to one at Bathgate which has proved to be very successful.

"ScotRail will own the facilities but lease them to a local provider who will also be trained in order to provide travellers with information about rail services."